Holsteiner Horse

The Holsteiner, or Holstein, horse is from the Schleswig-Holstein region of Germany, and this may be the oldest warmblood equine breed, dating back roughly 800 years to the 13th century. The official breed registry is the Holsteiner Verband, and the American Holsteiner Horse Association became its North American breeding district in 2018.

Today, Holsteiners are well-known for their ability to excel in multiple sporting disciplines. But there are many other Holsteiner characteristics that make this such a popular breed for riders around the world.  

Holsteiner Horse Snapshot

• Height: 16–17 hands (64–68 inches)

• Weight: 1,000–1,700 pounds

• Lifespan: 20–30 years

• Colors: Black, brown, chestnut, bay, gray

Caring for a Holsteiner

Holsteiners require the same basic care that all horses need, such as routine veterinary care, dental care, hoof care, and parasite prevention. These horses aren’t challenging when it comes to diet and grooming, and they enjoy being active.

Many Holsteiners are performance horses. If a horse will be competing, it’s important to take steps to prevent injuries and joint problems. Reducing their stress while training and traveling can also help keep them strong.

Holsteiner Health Issues

The Holsteiner breed is generally healthy. Like all other horses, they can develop issues as they get older. Also, very active Holsteiners and those who compete can be susceptible to injuries and lameness if they’re overworked or aren’t given the proper diet and amount of rest.

Here are some of the conditions that are seen in Holsteiner horses: 

Ocular Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Ocular squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common eye cancer in horses, as well as the second most common type of cancer in horses. Though exposure to UV rays can increase the risk of it developing, some breeds, such as the Holsteiner, have a genetic risk factor for it.

This cancer can form in the cornea, conjunctiva, eyelid, third eyelid, and limbus. It can spread to nearby tissues or other organs, and it can lead to vision impairment, blindness, or death.

Symptoms include:

• Raised, rough, pink lesions

• Yellow discharge from the eye

• Red areas on the eyelids that bleed and scab

Treatment is easier if the disease is caught early. Options include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, cryotherapy, and photodynamic therapy. Surgical removal of the eye might be necessary.

Genetic testing can help stop the risk factor of ocular SCC from being passed on to offspring.

Fragile Foal Syndrome (FFS)

Fragile foal syndrome (FFS) is an inherited condition seen in warmblood horse breeds like the Holsteiner—it’s sometimes referred to as warmblood fragile foal syndrome (WFFS). It’s caused by a mutation in the PLOD1 gene.

Symptoms of fragile foal syndrome are present at birth, and include:

• Hyperextensible skin and joints

• Fragile, thin skin

• Premature birth

• Hydrops (buildup of fluid)

• Seroma (buildup of serum)

• Hematoma (buildup of blood)

• Subcutaneous emphysema (air pocket under skin)

• Floppy ears

• Open lesions

There is no treatment or cure for FFS, so foals are humanely euthanized shortly after they’re born.

The best way to prevent FFS is by having horses genetically tested for the mutation that causes it—if they’re carriers, they can pass it on to offspring, so they shouldn’t be bred.

Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (PSSM)  

There are two types of polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM): type 1 is caused by a genetic mutation in the GYS1 gene, while type 2 isn’t genetically inherited but is common in warmblood horses. Holsteiners can get both types because they’re warmbloods and can have the GYS1 mutation.

PSSM causes excess glycogen (a form of sugar) storage in the muscles, resulting in tying-up episodes during which the muscles painfully cramp.

Symptoms of PSSM include:

• Cramping

• Soreness

• Sweating

• Stiffness

• Weakness

• Muscle tremors

• Firm muscles

• Poor performance

• Reluctance to move

There’s no cure for PSSM, but it can be managed. A veterinarian may treat this condition with rest and medications such as Banamine or acepromazine, particularly when tying-up episodes occur. Changes in diet and exercise may also be recommended to help prevent future episodes.  

Genetic tests for PSSM type 1 are available and can help prevent this disease from being passed on to offspring.
 

What To Feed a Holsteiner

Because Holsteiners are easy keepers who can gain weight quickly, it’s important to come up with a diet that’s suitable for them based on their age and activity level. Your veterinarian can help with this, especially if your horse has been diagnosed with a medical condition that needs to be managed with diet.

Holsteiners should be given free-choice forage that will contain the energy and fiber they need. These horses can also benefit from hay that is low in starch and sugar.

Generally, a horse can be fed around 2% of their body weight in forage daily. For example, a Holstein horse weighing 1,100 pounds would get about 22 pounds of forage. But if your horse works or competes and needs more energy, adjust the amount fed as needed and consider adding foods that provide more energy, such as alfalfa, grains like oats, and concentrated pellets like ADM Healthy Glo Nuggets Concentrated Nutrition Horse Feed.

Your veterinarian can provide guidance regarding supplementing your horse’s diet with vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, and other nutrients based on their needs.  

Always have a salt block and fresh, clean water available for your horse.

Holsteiner Disciplines

Holsteiners are talented, versatile, athletic horses who can excel in a range of disciplines. They’ve even competed and won in major tournaments like the Olympics. 

Here are some of the sports you can participate in with your Holsteiner horse:

• Showjumping

• Dressage

• Eventing

• Driving

• Hunter

• Fox hunting

These horses use their strength and endurance to impress everyone in the show ring, but they also make lovely riding companions.

Holsteiner Personality and Temperament

Holsteiners are a good match for riders of all experience levels. They’re typically easygoing, calm, quiet, and friendly, as well as intelligent, confident, and willing to perform. Overall, this breed is a pleasure to work with, and these horses are known for being easy to handle.

Because Holsteiners are even-tempered, reliable, and cooperative, they’re great for both recreational riding and competition. But remember that every horse is an individual with a unique personality, so it’s important to find a Holsteiner with a temperament that will match your goals, whether you want a riding companion or a horse who will help you win at equestrian sporting events. 

Holsteiner Training

A Holsteiner’s temperament makes them easy to train, but some of these horses can be more sensitive than others, so keep their personality in mind as you work with them.

Holsteiners are eager to please and ready to learn, so they can do well in just about any discipline they’re trained in. They’re also responsive and smart, so they can quickly learn cues. You might even find that young Holsteiners are able to grasp things quickly, so starting training while they’re foals can help them excel.

Always be patient and gentle when training a Holsteiner, as this is the best way to develop a strong bond and make them feel comfortable around you. Use positive reinforcement training methods, be consistent, and have a plan for each training session so you’ll know how to proceed and what you want your horse to accomplish that day.

Holsteiner Grooming Guide

Grooming a Holsteiner isn’t complicated. A standard routine of brushing their coat several times a week, if not daily, will help them maintain skin and coat health and keep them looking great. To do a thorough job and keep your horse comfortable and at ease, don’t rush through the grooming sessions.

Coat Care

Have a horse grooming kit, like the Weaver Equine Horse Grooming Kit, handy so you’ll have all of the tools you need to clean your horse’s coat efficiently and effectively. They include: 

• Curry comb

• Dandy brush

• Mane and tail brush

• Body brush

• Face brush

• Finishing brush

• Shedding blade

The right tools will remove loose hair, loosen and remove dirt and debris, and massage your horse’s skin while smoothing the coat. After each grooming session, your Holsteiner will be ready for the show ring or the trails.

Hoof Care

A Holsteiner should have their hooves examined, trimmed, and balanced by a professional farrier on a regular basis, about every six to eight weeks.

On a daily basis, take a look at your horse’s hooves to look for signs of problems, such as abscesses or cracks, that need to be treated by a veterinarian. Use a hoof pick to thoroughly clean the hooves by removing debris that has gotten stuck in them.